Birth or Stillbirth? Since, Joshua was still considered a "stillbirth" we were given this "Certificate of Life" as a substitute for a "Birth Certificate". Although we cherish this acknowledgement of Joshua's life, I believe he should have a birth and death certifiacte. Government policy says that if a doctor records the birth as a "stillbirth" (following the stipulations set forth for such), then the baby can not be considered a person of that province, nor counted in the population of that year. I am appalled by this as my son had both a birth time and death time (which was recorded wrong on this certificate, but not on his official record of birth - which I have). I don't understand how, if he was born and died at different times, he could be considered a stillborn ... My doctor, a wonderful man, says that he was told to record the birth of Joshua as a "stillbirth" because of government policy (Joshua was alive only by assistance and that rules him a "stillbirth" according to government policies set forth by the Canadian Federal Government). He says personally believes that Joshua should have been issued both a birth and death certificate as he had lived, although admittedly assisted, for a few hours. This wonderful doctor has also joined our fight with to the government branch of Vitial Statistics to have Joshua claimed as a child born to this province and therefore entitled to a birth and death certificate. Currently his file is still under review and we are waiting for their decision ... UPDATE Happy news! Joshua Alexander Shillito has been considered a 'live' birth by the Britsh Columbia Vital Stats. He was issued a Birth Certificate to go along with his Certificate of Life and his Death Certificate. We are so pleased to have won the right for him to be counted amongst the population of 1999! Thank you to all of those that supported us through this long task. God Bless You!